Sealing head mechanism for closing and sealing bags and containers



Jan. 30, 1951 A. E. ALMGREN ET AL SEALING HEAD MECHANISM FOR CLOSING ANDSEALING BAGS AND CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 17, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOATTORN EYS Jan. 30, 1951 A. E. ALMGREN ET AL 2,539,389 SEALING HEADMECHANISM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING BAGS AND CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 17,1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lmmllllllw wi'll.

2,539,389 G AND 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 A. E. ALMGREN ET AL SEALING HEADMECHANISM FOR CLOSIN SEALING BAGS AND CONTAINERS 1'7, 194'? Jan. 30,1951 Filed Dec.

Jan. 30, 1951 A. E. ALMGREN ET AL SEALING HEAD MECHANISM FOR CLOSING ANDSEALING BAGS AND CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 17, 1947 70SOURCE OF COMPRESSED Al? INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 30, 1951SEALING HEAD MECHANISM FOR CLOSING AND SEALING BAGS AND CONTAINERSAugust E. Almgren, Hillside, and John P. Jakob,

Roselle, N. 3., assignors to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New Jersey Application December 17, 1947, Serial'No.792,122

. -11 Claims.

This invention relates to a sealing head mechanism for folding andsealing flexible containers such as filled paper bags and has particularreference to the folding of a marginal edge portion of a bag in such amanner as to provide corner pleats. Reference is here made to ourcopending United States applications Serial Number 792,123, filedDecember 17, 1947, on Bag Sealing Machine; Serial Number 792,124, filedDecember 17, 1947, on Bag Sealing Machine; and Serial Number 792,125,filed December 1'7, 1947, for Method of Sealing Bags.

An object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism for foldingand sealing the open end of a bag or container filled with articles suchas cans by folding or turning-in corner sections, of the marginal edgeportion of the bag independently of adjacent side sections therebyforming lapping folds at the corners which are sealed easily during thefolding operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a mechanism of thecharacter described, of aplurality of elements for turning or foldinginsections of the marginal edge portion at the corners of the bag inadvance of the remaining intermediate or side sections to formoverlapping folds or pleats on the turned-in corners of the bag and toseal the turned-in sections onto an inserted board or bag end member.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a bag closing and sealingmechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the upper open end of a bagfilled with cans preparatory to being sealed;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the bag closed and sealed;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views illustrating a corner of the bagand showing how the marginal corner'and marginal side sections arefolded into sealing position;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a pleated corner fold takensubstantially along the line li in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of a sealing head used in themechanism shown in Fig. '1;

'. Fig. 9 is an elevationalview of the sealing head 2 shown in positionfor s filled bag,- with parts shown in section;

Fig; 10 is a schematic view showing the details of a piping assemblyjoining air valves for operating the folding elements in the sealinghead; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the valves shown in Fig.10.

As an exemplary embodiment of the invention the drawings show a sealinghead mechanism for closing and sealing a bag or flexible container A(Figs. 1, 2 and 3) of rectangular configuration and preferably madeof'fibre, which is filled with cans B. The cans are packed in layerswith a division or separator sheet between each layer. The top layer ofcans is covered with a flat sheet or closure member'D having a band ofadhesive or glue E on its top surface (Fig. 2) adjacent but in spacedrelation to its outer periphery. An upper marginal edge portion C of thebag extends above the end member D and is folded inwardly and downwardlyagainst the adhesive coated end member for sealing the bag.

In folding the marginal edge portion C of the flexible bag down againstthe closure member D, corner sections F of the marginal edge portion C,are first folded inwardly and downwardly against the closure member D(as shown in Fig. 4). intermediate or side sections G are foldedinwardly and downwardly against the closure member as shown in Fig. 5.This progressive folding of the marginal edge portion C forms cornerpleats J, K which overlap the corner sections F as shown in Figs. 6 and7 and thus provide a smooth, well formed and secure corner structure.Thereafter these folded edge portions C of the bag are clamped tightlyagainst the end member D for fully creasing the pleats J, K and foreffecting proper contact of the folded portions with the adhesive on theend member. This completes the sealing of the bag.

A preferred form of sealing head mechanism for folding and sealing themarginal edge portion C of a filled bag A includes a rectangular shapedhollow sealing head frame 22 (Figs. 1 and 8).

which issecured to a support arm 23 of a vertically movableslide 24,carried on a frame 25 which constitutes themain frame of the machine.The sealing head frame 22 preferably is movable relative to and awayfrom a filled bag A to be sealed, the bag being located beneath the headframe on a platform 26 mounted on the upper end of a stem 21' carried ina bearing 28 formed a e eeeh rem i e e frame 1 ealing the open end of aWhile the folded corners are held in place,

as shown in Fig. 9, for a sealing operation, the upper marginal edgeportion C of the bag-is-sur rounded and guided to maintainiitinanguprightposition and thereby prevent its being crushed. For thispurpose an outwardly tapered orfiared',

rectangular shaped apron or'guide 29 is carried on the head frame 22 andhangsdown below the frame and telescopes over the end of the bag as theframe moves into sealingposition; Itiswhen the head frame 22 is in thissealing position that.

the marginal edge portion C of the bag is folded inwardly and downwardlyagainst the end member D as hereinbefore exp ained.

Folding of the bag corners Finto'place is effected'by a plurality ofhingeable triangular shaped corner foldingelement's 32' which arelocated one at each corner of thehead frame 22. These corner foldingelements are mounted on pivot pins 33- (Figs. a, Band 6) carried inspaced lugs 34 formed on the head frame 221 The foding face of eachelement preferably carries a cushion 39 Qfrubber or other resilientmaterial. The folding'elements 32 areactuated' by bracket arms-35 whichextend outwardly from each of the elements and which arepivotall'yconnected by links 36 to the lower-ends of rods-31 having pistons 38which operate in corner actuatingvalves'til (Figs.

l0'and 11). There is'one'of these valves 39 at each corner'of the headframe-22.

The upper and lower" ends of all the valves 39 arein communication withupperand lower air' pipes 4!}, 4| (seeFigs: 10 and 11) having'connectingpipes 42, 43 which' are communicable with any suitable source ofcompressed air. A control valve may be connected with the pipes 42,43'to' control the entrancezofairinto the pipes 4!], 4 I if desired;

When compressed air is admitted into the upper pipe- 48, it forces thepistons 38 down in their valves-39 and thus'through the-links 36 rockthe corner folding elements 32 into'a vertical position. This is thenormal position of the folding elements. The lower' pipe"- 4| acts as avent pipe during this movement of the pistons 38. When compressed'air'isintroduced-"into the lower pipe 4!, the upper pipe 42 serves as aventpipe and thus the pistons 33- are forced upwardly in their valves 39 andthis movement of the pistons rocks the corner folding e ements 32downwardlytd perform a corner foldingoperation.

Folding of the side sections G ofthe-marginali edge portion C ofthe'bagiseffected by hingeable side folding'elementsrfl (Figs; 4, 5, 6,8and9'). There are four of these side folding elements located along thesidesof the head frame 22 intermediate its corners;

which areconnected bylinks-S'l to'the'lowerends ofv piston; rods 58(Ffig: 10) having pistons which operate in*va1ve'sB2 which are-similarto the-- Each element isformerr witha pair of spaced lugs48" which aremounted. on pivotpins 52 carried in brackets 53; secured. to:the-sealing headframe-ZZl The folding face of.

valves 39. There is one of these valves 62 for each side folding element41.

The upper and lower ends of all the valves 62 are in communication withupper and lower air pipes 63, 64 (Fig. 10) having connecting pipes 85,fifi'which are communicableiwith any suitable source of compressed air:A control valve may be connected with the pipes 65, 68 to control theentrance of air into the pipes 63, 64, if desired.

When compressed air is admitted into the upper pipe E3, it forces downthe pistons of the valves 62 and thus through the links 57 rocks theside folding elements 4'1. into a vertical position. This is'the normalposition of the side folding elements.

' The lower pipe 64" acts as a vent pipe during this movement of thepistons. When compressed air is introduced-into. the lower pipe 64, theupper pipe serves as a vent pipe and thus the pistonsare' forcedupwardly in their valves 62. This movement of the pistons rocks the sidefolding elements 47 downwardly tov perform a side folding operation.

In operation, while the-sealing: headframe 22 moves. downward onto afilled bag A as an incldent to sealing the bag, the corner foldingelements 32 and the: side folding elements 41 are disposedin'vertical orretracted position. When the. head frame is insealing position, with themarginal. edge portion C. of. thebag extending up into the.frame,.thecornerportionsF arefirst folded inwardly against the inserted closuremem-- ber D by an inward and djownwardarcuate movementrof. the. cornerfolding. elements. 32. acting in unisonas shown .in Fig. 4.

Immediately following: the: folding-in actionof the; corner foldingelements; 32 the side foldin elements, are swung inwardly. anddownwardlyto, fold. the sidesections G. of the. marginal edge portion. C downagainstv the. closuremember D. as shownin Fig. 5 and.this actioniormstheover-- lapping. pleats J ,.K, previously referred to. In timed.relationto themovementbf. the side folding elements. the corner. foldingelements 32- release their..hold on the: foldedein. corner por l tions'.F and, are; lifted, or; swung. upwardly into; a. position. as bestillustrated in; Fig. 6. while-the side folding elements.remaininposition and:

to hold the folded sectionsF and G against the,

closure member Dsuntil. these parts. are fully bonded together.

If desired, this holding action may be effected independently of the.-folding elements.

through a sealing pad 65 which is movable into position within therectangular space defined by the inner edges of the corner foldingelements 32 and sidefeldingelements il (Fig.8). The sealing pad pressesthe inner. marginaledges of theside. corner, and overlapped portions G,and

F against the top insertedwall member D to bond.

these container partstogether.

The sealing pad 68 iscarried the sealing head frame 22 on a" pair ofspaced and parallel vertical rods 52 secured in bosses 53 formed on thepad. Rods T2 are vertically slidable in bear ings i i formedon.abraclget-lfi; secured to the sealing head frame 22 and" above the pad.The

sealing ad 68 is normally held in a raised position by springs 76 whichsurround the rods 12 and which are interposed between each bearing 14,and locknuts EH secured to the upper end'of the rods.

The pad 68 may be lowered manually by a hand crank 1'! for bringing thepad into sealing position against the top of the bag. The hand crank 11is carried on the outer end of a horizontal shaft 78 carried in a pairof spaced bearings 59 in the bracket 15. This shaft carries a pair ofcams 82 which operate against cam rollers 83 mounted on pivot pins 84carried in bosses 85 formed on the upper face of the pad 58. The lower'face of the sealing pad is provided with a cushioned facing 88 formedof rubber or other resilient material.

When the sealing pad 63 is moved down onto the bag, it is held there fora predetermined period of time, depending upon the'type and setting timeof the adhesive being used, thus insuring a proper bonding of thecontainer parts together.

Following ,the sealing of the bag as explained above, the corner foldingelements 32 and the side forming elements 4"! are rocked upwardlysimultaneously, preparatory to lifting the sealing pad 68 from thesealed bag. After removal of the sealing pad 68, the sealing head frame22 is lifted from the sealed bag. This completes the cycle of operationsof the mechanism.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form,

construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its materialadvantages, the form hereinbefore described bein merely a preferredembodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. In a mechanism for folding in the ends of tubular members forcontainers, the combination of a frame for surrounding the open end of atubular member, corner folding elements carried in saidframe forturning-in corner sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end ofsaid member, and side folding elements carried in said frame forfolding-in the remaining side sections of said marginal edge portionagainst said turned in corner sections in overlapping relation thereto.

2. In a mechanism for folding in the ends of tubular members forcontainers, the combination of a frame for surrounding the open end of atubular member, corner folding elements pivotally carried in said framefor turning-in corner sections of a marginal edge portion of the openend of the tubular member, side folding elements pivotally carried insaid frame for folding in side sections of said marginal edge portion toform corner pleats therein, and means for operating said corner foldingelements and said side folding elements in timed relation.

3. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or othercontainer filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head framefor surrounding the open end ofa filled bag to be sealed, corner foldingelements pivotally carried in said frame for turning-incorner sectionsof a marginal edge portion of the open end of the bag and for pressingsaid sections against an adhesive coated surface and a closure memberinserted into said bag, side folding elements pivotally carried in saidframe for folding-in side sections of said marginal edge portion againstan adhesive coated surface and said inserted closure member saidadhesive lying between said sections and said closure member for sealingthe bag, and fluid actuated means for independently operating saidcorner folding elements and said side folding elements.

4. In a mechanism for folding in the ends of tubular members forcontainers, the combination of a frame for surrounding the open end of atubular member, an apron in said frame for guiding a marginal edgeportion of the open end of the tubular member into said frame, cornerfolding elements carried in said frame for turning-in corner sections ofsaid marginal edge portion, and side folding elements carried in saidframe for folding-in side sections of said marginal edge portion to formcorner pleats therein.

5. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or othercontainer filled with articles, the combination of a support for afilled bag to be sealed, a sealing head frame movable into position forsurrounding the open end of said bag, corner folding elements pivotallycarried in said frame for turning-in corner sections of a marginal edgeportion of the open end of the bag against an adhesive coated surfaceand a closure member inserted into the bag, and side folding elementspivotally carried in said frame for folding in side sections of saidmarginal edge portion against an adhesive coated surface and saidclosure member to form corner pleats and to seal the bag.

6. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or othercontainer filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head memberfor surrounding the open end of a filled bag for sealing, a supportmember for supporting a filled bag to be sealed, one of said membersbeing movable relative to the other for effecting the sealing, cornerfolding elements pivotally carried in said sealing head member forturning-in corner sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end ofthe bag against an adhesive coated surface and a closure member in thebag, and side folding elements pivotally carried in said sealing headmember for folding in side sections of said marginal edge portionagainst an adhesive coated surface and said closure member to formcorner pleats and to seal the bag.

'7. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or othercontainer filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head framemovable into position for surrounding the open end of said bag, cornerfolding elements pivotally carried in said frame for turning-in cornersections of a marginal edge portion of the open end of the bag againstan adhesive coated surface and a closure member in said bag, means foroperating said corner folding elements, side folding elements pivotallycarried in said unit for folding in side sections of said marginal edgeportion against an adhesive coated surface and said closure member insaid bag, and means for operating said side folding elementsindependently of said corner folding elements to effect the sealing ofthe bag.

8. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or othercontainer filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head framefor surrounding the open end of a filled bag to be sealed, cornerfolding elements pivotally carried in said frame for turning-in cornersections of a marginal edge portion. of the open end of the bag againsta closure-f. member having adhesive applied to an area thereof, sidefolding elements pivotally carried in said frame for folding in sidesections of said marginal edge portion against said closure member, asealing pad cooperating with said corner folding elements and said sidefolding elements for sealing the bag, and means for independentlyoperating said corner folding elements, said side folding elements andsaid sealing pad.

9. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or othercontainer filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head framemovable into position for surrounding the open. end of a filled bag,corner folding elements pivotally carried in said frame for turning-incorner sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end of the bagagainst an adhesive coated surface and a closure member in the. bag forproducing corner pleats and securing the corner sections to the closuremember, fluid pressure means for. operating said corner foldingelements, side folding elements pivotally carried in said frame forfolding in side sections of said marginal edge portion against anadhesive coated surface and for securing said side sections to saidclosure member, fluid pressure means for operating said side foldingelements, said fluid pressure means also operating to retract saidcorner and side folding elements for a repetition of their operation.

10. In a mechanism for folding and sealing an open end of a bag or othercontainer filled with articles, the combination of a sealing head frame.

sections of a marginal edge portion of the open end of the bag againstan adhesive coated surface and a closure member in the bag to producecorner pleats and to secure said corner sections to said closure member,fluid operated pistons for actuating said corner folding elements, sidefolding elements pivotally carried in said frame for folding in sidesections of said marginal edge portion against an adhesive coatedsurface and said closure member to secure said side sections to saidclosure member, and fluid operated pistons for actuating said sidefolding elements.

11. In a mechanism for folding in the ends of tubular members forcontainers, the combination comprising a frame surrounding the open endof a tubular member, triangular corner folding and pressing elements andside folding elements movably mounted in said frame, means for movingsaid triangular corner folding elements against corner sections of amarginal edge portion of said open end of the tubular member for turningin said corner sections, means for moving said side folding elementsagainst said side sections of said marginal edge portion for turning insaid side sections and forming pleats overlapping said corner.sections,said first mentioned means being oper-. able subsequently forretracting said triangular corner f oldin and pressing elements and formoving them inwardly a second time to press and crease said pleatsoverlapping said corner sections.

AUGUST E. ALMGREN. JOHN P. J AKOB.

No references cited.

